@willi - thanks, but for sure, I'm just a newbie here, and not specifically trained in climate science.
That said, in the discussion, it hasn't been made clear yet whether the cyclone(s) have really stirred up the halo/thermoclines yet. At least, the buoy's haven't been showing anything particularly dramatic.
But then, it may not take that much, and we don't know what's been happening "out of sight" of the our sample points for salinity.
Regardless of salinity and water temperatures, the general "atomization" of the ice can't help things. I'm reminded of pebbles tumbled in a stream; in most areas, it looks like the floes have all been rounded off, with the interstitial zones filled in with thin ice or nilas.
@oldleatheck - I've been wondering about IJIS not updating the last couple of days as well. I'm quite atwitch at wanting to see the newest numbers.